Molly Weasley did indeed decide to throw Harry a party at The Burrow a few days later. It was, Harry had to admit, an affair to rival Bill's marriage to Fleur. The invite list had everyone Harry thought of as his friends, including Luna Lovegood and his dorm mates. The Weasley Matriarch had even gone so far as to invite Harry's colleagues from Hogwarts, saving him the trouble of asking Severus himself and finding some excuse for his presence. In spite of the ready-made invitation and excuse, Harry was still delightfully surprised when Severus actually appeared. He knew the Potions Master abhorred any sort of gathering, and he wasn't bothered in the least when the man adopted a quiet corner in the sitting room as his own.

An hour or more into the party, everyone had arrived and was feasting on the decadent spread of foods that Ginny was all too happy to claim to have helped cook. Harry, for his part, was growing slightly agitated. He'd never realized he had so many friends, and the party was rather boisterous. The noise of people chatting in small groups had grown phenomenally as more and more guests indulged in the available alcohols. This was made worse by Fred and George, who were as rambunctious as ever. Harry had already fallen victim to two of their playful gags.

Feeling slightly claustrophobic, and very overwhelmed, Harry sought out Severus through the crowd of people that stood between him and the corner where he'd last seen the Potions Master. He captured the dark gaze watching him intently through the many shifting bodies. With a sigh of relief that the man hadn't simply gone already, Harry started to scoot between the others that were also in the kitchen with him. He silently cursed the rain that had them all packed into the house like sardines. Harry came to a hard stop when Neville appeared in front of him.

"Hiya, Harry!"

"Hey, Neville," Harry said, smiling politely. He glanced around his friend to see that Severus had left the corner. He looked back into the round, grinning face in front of him. "How've you been? I haven't heard from you in a while."

"I've been great," Neville said a little loudly. "I've been working with my aunt, and she's given me control over an entire greenhouse at the nursery. Anyway, I came over because I was talking with Professor Achesan and I realized I hadn't really congratulated you yet. Congratulations on getting your Mastery."

Harry nodded. "Thanks, Nev," He said a little distractedly, looking around the room. He slumped upon not finding the tall, distinctive form of the Potions Master, and turned again to his fellow Gryffindor. "It still feels a little unreal, that I'm a fully-fledged Master after only a little over a year as an apprentice. Master Ailin said that it's not really that unusual, and that I'm more than qualified. Personally, I still feel a bit like I'm turning 17 again. Sick, and way underprepared."

Neville chuckled. "Yeah, I can imagine. Look, speaking of being 17 again, there was something else…I, uh, heard from Hermione that you haven't been seeing anyone since we broke up."

"I see a lot of people," Harry joked.

Neville chuckled again a little nervously. "Right…But, I meant dating, actually. Y-you haven't been seeing anyone in that capacity, have you?"

Harry straightened and cleared his throat. "W-Why do you ask?"

"W-well, see, I was w-wondering…I mean, I thought maybe the reason neither of us has dated since we dated…m-maybe it's because we still have feelings for each other? M-maybe we should give it another go?" Neville suggested hesitantly.

Harry stared at his friend. "Erm, Neville…I don't…I-I'm not really interested in going out with you again. I'm actually-Well, I just don't feel that way towards you."

"O-oh," Neville said, looking away. "I just thought, because you weren't seeing anyone…I mean, what's the harm? We could go out on a few dates. Maybe you'll change your mind."

"Neville, really, I don't want to. I'm sorry, but I really don't have feelings for you. You're my friend, and I'm happy that you're that, but we'll never be more," Harry explained.

"We could try," Neville said again, taking Harry's hand in both of his sweaty palms. "I miss you, Harry. I miss kissing you, and holding your hand whenever I want…I miss being your boyfriend."

"Neville, I said 'no'," Harry said firmly. He tried to pull his hand free, but the strong grip didn't relent.

"Please, Harry, just…just think about it. I think you'll find, given the opportunity, that we're kind of perfect together. I still have feelings for you, and I think if you gave me a chance, you'd return those feelings. I lo-"

"Longbottom."

Harry watched with a smirk and some minor satisfaction as his friend stiffened at the sound of the familiar snarl. He slipped his hand out of the loosened grip as Neville turned to face their former professor. He looked as well, his gaze automatically softening as his eyes fell upon the stoic Potions Master.

"P-professor S-Snape, I-I didn't s-see you there," Neville stammered.

Severus sneered down his nose at the nervous Gryffindor, making Harry smirk again. Yeah, he was head-over-heels for the git.

"Indeed," Severus growled.

Neville turned back to Harry, who tried to hide his pleasure. "I-I'll catch you later, Harry. I have to, um, go…over there."

Harry snickered as his friend darted away from the Potions Master standing over them. He turned to the man with a smile.

"Thanks," He murmured. "I didn't really know what to say when he wouldn't take 'not interested' for an answer. I didn't want to say I was taken without consulting you first."

Severus surprised him by wrapping long arms around his waist and drawing him against the firm, taller body. "Then allow me," Severus whispered against his lips.

Harry felt all of his tension leave him as their lips met passionately. It was another claiming kiss, but it was somehow different as well. It was gentler, and more ardent. A deep, searing emotion poured through the kiss like molten rock, setting Harry's heart aflame in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around the Potions Master as the passion went on long past a simple kiss. This was…this was a deeply felt yearning, dark and foreboding as that was, and Harry reveled in it. Distantly, he could hear cheers and wolf-whistles, but they seemed miles away as he lost himself in the feel of Severus' lips moving against his own, and the hands pressed against his back and head. When they parted, Harry looked into the affectionate onyx gaze reverently.

"Alright?" Severus whispered tenderly.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah, definitely."

They each pulled away almost reluctantly, creating space between their bodies even as Harry felt his soul urging him to hold tight to the Potions Master and never let go. Out of the corner of his eye, the Gryffindor saw several people surging towards him. Black eyes glanced to the side, and returned to his sparkling green stare adoringly.

"Something to drink?"

Harry nodded again, knowing Severus would prefer to avoid the awkward questions making their way across the room. "Coffee, if you can find some."

Severus nodded again, kissing his famous scar, and disappeared just as Hermione reached them. Harry winced as his best friend wrapped him in a tight hug and squealed in his ear.

"I knew it!" Hermione cried happily, pulling away to grin at him.

Harry blushed. "I-"

"Harry…"

Both Gryffindors turned, the witch scowling, to face the taller boy who had spoken. Harry stared suspiciously as Ron held out his hand. They hadn't really spoken since the other boy's failed attempts to reconcile their friendship. Harry only knew through Ginny that her brother had gotten a job as Broom Handler for the Chudley Cannons. It had been a surprise that the youngest Weasley male had shown up at the party at all, and until now Harry had avoided speaking with him. He grasped the proffered hand.

"You, uh, you sure know how to pick 'em," Ron joked. "I want you to know…I'm really happy that you've found someone, and I'm sorry for putting an end to our friendship. Friedrick, my captain, he got onto me a while back, after I got drunk and expressed my prejudices. Turns out I'm a bloody dumbass, as per."

Harry smiled and gave the hand in his a firm shake. "As per," He agreed. "Thanks, Ron."

The redhead gave a stiff nod and looked to the frowning witch beside Harry. "Hermione," He said awkwardly.

Hermione gave her own stiff nod in greeting, and the redhead moved away, to be replaced by a smirking werewolf. Harry's blush returned with a vengeance.

"I suppose I can assume that was Severus, then, at the door," Remus said.

Harry smiled wryly. "When?"

Remus chuckled appreciatively. "Congratulations, Cub. I'm happy for you…for you both." He turned slightly. "It's, er, good to see you, Hermione."

Harry grinned as Remus moved away again, back towards the hearth where he'd been standing for most of the celebration. His grin widened when he heard what might have been a wistful sigh beside him. He looked at his friend slyly.

"He likes you, you know."

Hermione scowled. "I know."

Harry frowned as well. "You do?" He asked, turning to her.

"It's sort of obvious," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "But it's never going to happen. We're too different, for one thing. And I still haven't forgiven him, for another."

"What did Remus ever do to you?" Harry demanded a little crossly.

Hermione started. "Remus? What on earth are you-I thought you were talking about Ronald!"

Harry grinned broadly. "Huh-uh."

The intelligent witch blushed. "You…you really think he likes me?"

"It's sort of obvious," Harry told her, nudging her slightly towards the sitting room.

Hermione's blush deepened and she batted playfully at his hand. She turned towards the fireplace, and Harry watched her square her shoulders before marching over to where his honorary godfather stood. Remus straightened immediately at her approach, making Harry chuckle. The two exchanged a few words before Hermione reached up and dragged the werewolf into a sound kiss. Remus fell into it more than willingly, drawing the young woman closer to him.

"She's braver than you," Severus observed lightly.

Harry jumped slightly and looked at the dark man over his shoulder. He took the coffee he was handed and leaned back against the strong chest.

"Yeah, she is," He agreed. "I'm a terrible influence on my friends."

A hand snaked around his middle, holding him as warm lips touched the skin beneath his ear.

"It is one of your more endearing qualities."

Harry sighed, relaxing further into the secure presence at his back.